Russia Blocks Websites Calling For Election Boycott

Russia’s communications watchdog says it has taken action against four Internet sites to “limit the access to illegal information” related to the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Roskomnadzor said on July 8 that it had acted on a request from the Prosecutor-General's Office.

In a statement posted on its website, the regulator said the websites called for a boycott of the elections and for “coordinated actions by the public to organize protests in violation of current rules.”

Two of the websites accepted to remove the offending material, it added, while the two others were blocked.

“Activity to disrupt elections to the lower house of parliament undermines the constitutional order of Russia,” Roskomnadzor said.

Russian authorities have been accused of cracking down on protests and boosts control over social media and online content ahead of elections to the State Duma scheduled for September 18.

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